The European Commission is gearing up to announce its 5G guidelines today, after the US said it was “disappointed” by the UK’s decision to allow Chinese firm Huawei to supply ‘non-core’ parts of the 5G network.

The guidelines will provide non-binding advice to the EU’s 28 member states to restrict or block ‘high-risk’ 5G vendors from core parts of the network.

The move is likely to mirror a decision announced yesterday by the UK to restrict ‘high-risk’ vendors following warnings, led by the US, that Huawei’s equipment could put 5G networks at risk of Chinese state surveillance. Huawei has vigorously denied such allegations.

A Trump administration official said the US was disappointed at the UK’s decision and urged EU countries to impose an outright ban on Huawei involvement.

According to Reuters, the commission’s guidelines, due to be announced by digital chief Margrethe Vestager and EU industry chief Thierry Breton, will not identify any specific company or country, but will focus on cyber security risks in 5G infrastructure on a national and EU level.

Yesterday’s announcement by prime minister Boris Johnson prompted anger among US lawmakers, with some calling into question continued security co-operation with the UK as part of the ‘special relationship’. Senate intelligence select committee member Ben Sasse said: “Here's the sad truth: our special relationship is less special now that the UK has embraced the surveillance state commies at Huawei.”

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo warned that allowing Huawei access could have “momentous” consequences for national security as well as future co-operation with the UK’s major ally. He is due to meet Johnson in London this week, where the decision is likely to be high on the agenda for talks.

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